China Appoints 58-Year-Old Li Chenggang as New Trade Negotiator, Replacing Wang Shouwen, Amid Escalating U.S. Tariff War

54 posts • Grok (Beta)

Updated Apr 16, 2025, 01:47 PM

China has appointed 58-year-old Li Chenggang as the new vice minister of commerce and top international trade negotiator, replacing 59-year-old Wang Shouwen. This change comes amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States, as negotiations between the two countries have stalled. Li, previously China's envoy to the World Trade Organization, assumes his new role as Beijing seeks to address the escalating tariff war with Washington. Li, who served as an assistant commerce minister during Donald Trump's first term, has an academic background from Peking University and Hamburg University. The appointment of Li Chenggang is seen as a strategic move by China, especially given Wang Shouwen's experience in negotiating with the U.S. since the first Trump administration. Li has criticized the U.S. at the WTO for imposing tariffs that he claims violate WTO rules and disrupt global trade. The shift in leadership at the commerce ministry occurs as President Xi Jinping tours Southeast Asia to strengthen economic ties with neighboring countries, amidst the ongoing trade dispute with the U.S. China's GDP grew by 5.4% in the first quarter, but faces pressure from U.S. tariffs at 145% and its own retaliatory tariffs at 125%.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

#China #Li Chenggang #Wang Shouwen #United States #Li #World Trade Organization #Beijing #Washington #Donald Trump #Peking University #Hamburg University #Trump #WTO #Xi Jinping #Southeast Asia

Related Prediction Markets

Will Trump remove majority of reciprocal tariffs before 90 day deadline?

Mexico tariffs on China in effect before July?

Will Trump increase tariffs on Mexico before May?

•

View market suggestions→

Sources

jp.reuters.com(6)reuters.com(5)cnbc.com(3)bbc.com(2)

El Economista

@eleconomista

#Empresas | China unexpectedly chooses a new trade negotiator in the midst of a tariff war with the US 🇨🇳🇺🇸 https://t.co/zNjKzVOWvr

Chicago Tribune

@chicagotribune

China appointed a new trade negotiator in the midst of its tariff fight with the United States as the world’s two largest economies steadily increase tariffs on each other’s goods. https://t.co/VPExuJhhEM

Reuters

@Reuters

China on Wednesday unexpectedly appointed a new trade negotiator key in any talks to resolve the escalating tariff war with the United States, replacing trade tsar Wang Shouwen with its envoy to the World Trade Organization. https://t.co/LAQT4Fk9BZ https://t.co/LVQwHPrmB1